TORONTO - Health Minister Jane Philpott faces a tough discussion with her provincial and territorial counterparts in Toronto this morning.

The health ministers are opposed to the federal Liberal plan to slash the rate of increase on health transfers.

Ottawa maintains it will apply a three per cent increase on the Canada Health Transfer in April even though provinces and territories say this would mean a $1-billion shortfall nationally in 2017-2018.

A six per cent increase on the transfer has been in place since the last health accord was negotiated in 2004.

Philpott says if she is going to make a pitch to the federal finance minister for more money, she needs to hear innovative ideas and accountability measures.

The provinces and territories have asked Ottawa to reconsider its plans or to postpone imposing a new transfer rate until a meeting is held between the premiers and the prime minister.

Photos

Ontario Health Minister Eric Hoskins speaks during a news conference after the first day of a meeting of provincial and territorial health ministers in Vancouver, B.C., on Wednesday January 20, 2016. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck